Kathleen Turner heads a list of New York notables scheduled to attend the annual People for the American Way (PFAW) benefit on July 22.

PFAW "fights to maintain liberties that we should not take for granted," according to PFAW executive committee chairman Josh Sapan, who will co-host the fundraiser with Ann Foley and Ted Field.

Also scheduled to attend the Wainscott, NY, event are New York City Public Advocate Mark Green, and Broadway lyricist Betty Comden, Gloria Jones, feminist Betty Friedan, lawyer Gerald Lefcourt, Maggie and Kate Lear and Bob Balaban.

Currently starring in the West End production of The Graduate, where she appears on stage nude, Turner is also slated to play the provocative and outspoken actress Tallulah Bankhead at Boston's Colonial Theatre production of Tallulah this fall.

Asked if Turner would appear at the benefit fully dressed, a spokesperson told Playbill On-Line, "Yes, she will." A new Screen Gems/Independent Film Channel (IFC) film, "Girlfight" will be screened as a highlight of the fundraiser. "Girlfight" won awards at both the 2000 Sundance and Cannes film festivals.

Contributions to the PFAW benefit range from $100 individual to $10,000 benefactor tickets. To contribute or purchase tickets call PFAW at (212) 944-5820.

-- By Murdoch McBride